New divisional layout, same old Columbia Falls.
The long-reigning basketball power of the Northwestern A opened the newly organized Western A postseason tournaments in Butte with a pair of victories on Wednesday.
The Wildcats, winners of only three games in the regular season, edged Corvallis 48-40 in overtime in the first-round of the boys divisional basketball tournament.
Matt Morrison and Tyler Murphy each scored nine points to advance Columbia Falls (4-15) to the next round, where a familiar foe awaits. The top team from Southwestern A, Dillon (16-4) plays Columbia Falls at 2:30 p.m., Thursday.
The Columbia Falls girls rolled past Corvallis 67-39 in the opener. Kiara Burlage scored 23 and Peyton Kehr had 15 to lead the Wildkats (18-1) to the next round, where they will play the winner of Dillon (12-6) and Whitefish (6-12), who square off tonight at 7:45 p.m.
Polson swept on the first day of divisional action as well.
The Pirates blew past Stevensville 55-35. Matthew Rensvold scored 19, Shade Main had 10 and Payton Lefthand added nine as Polson (15-4) advanced to the next round against the winner of Hamilton (10-8) and Frenchtown (3-15), who play Wednesday night.
The Polson girls, led by Nichole Lake’s 19, held off Stevensville 42-31 on Wednesday. The Lady Pirates (7-12) play Butte Central (18-0) at 4:15 p.m., Thursday.
The Whitefish boys (6-12) take on Butte Central (10-8) at 11 a.m., Thursday.
This year marks the debut of the new Western A divisional tournament layout. The top four teams from each tournament will advance to the Class A state tournaments. The boys tournament is March 3-5 in Missoula. The girls tournament is March 10-12 in Belgrade.
Wednesday’s Divisional Tournament Box Scores
Polson 15 9 12 6 – 42
Stevensville 5 4 13 9 – 31
POLSON – Nichole Lake 19, Brenna Clarke 8, MaKenna Weltz 5, Lauren Lefthand 4, Erin Sampson 2, Kaelyn Smith 2.
STEVENSVILLE – Mariah Hinson 11, Makayla Davids 7, Megan Pendergast 5, Deanna Blair 3, Ashlynn Harrington 3, Angel Richards 2.
Columbia Falls 7 10 5 15 11 – 48
Corvallis 12 11 8 6 3 – 40
COLUMBIA FALLS – Tyler Murphy 9, Matt Morrison 9, Austin Green 8, Mason Tucker 8, Dakota Bridwell 5, Nathan Riley 3, Logan Stephens 2, Steven DeCamp 2, Quintin Schriver 2.
CORVALLIS – Chase Jessop 19, Jacob Geary 9, Caleb Powell 4, Spencer Jessop 3, Tylor Nixon 3, Dillon Lewis 2.
Corvallis 6 16 8 9 – 39
Columbia Falls 13 25 12 17 – 67
CORVALLIS – Taia Tully 4, Corine Sanderson 15, Penny Jessop 2, Genesis Keith 2, Calla Haldorson 11, Lainie Albright 3, Tayle Wright 2.
COLUMBIA FALLS – Cydney Finberg 6, Peyton Kehr 15, Miranda Livingston 7, Kiara Burlage 23, Sydney Grilley 4, Allyson Gimbe 4, Sydney Hovde 8.
Stevensville 6 9 8 12 – 35
Polson 15 8 20 12 – 55
STEVENSVILLE – Liam LeCoure 7, Jarod Kingsberry 7, James Fry 7, Dalton Bragg 2, Bryce Torrey 6, Jordan Thomas 4, Cody Coleman 2.
POLSON – Wyatt DuCharme 4, Payton Lefthand 9, Tanner Wilson 5, Matthew Rensvold 19, Julian Jones 8, Shade Main 10.
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